For four sunshine-filled days we first stayed with close friends in southern Germany. Sybille, Helmut and Laura had just moved into their new home, which they have been painstakingly building for over two years. Seven-months-old Laura had us under her spell in minutes, and by the end of four days we were truly smitten. With huge blue eyes, an enchanting smile, and a song filled voice, she stole our hearts forever (picture below left). Elke not only enjoyed intensive chatting times with Sybille, but loved to hold and play with this cute little bundle (right).

During the day we sat on the porch enjoying the sunshine, Laura, Sybille's cooking and all the comforts of home. Most evenings, Sybille's lovely parents Heidi and Christian joined us for big feasts and lively conversation. Christian and Heidi, owners of a Ford dealership, provided us with a car for the six months of traveling in Europe. We are so grateful to them! A more giving family would be impossible to find, and we treasure their friendship and loving personalities.

Our stay in Dresden was a whirlwind. Like stars during oscar week we had an engagement almost every night. When we weren't eating, we were drinking. When we weren't drinking, we were eating. But most often, we combined both pleasures. Elke's birthday fell on a Monday, the big party was scheduled for Saturday, so we celebrated the whole week. On Wednesday morning, we were woken at 5:00 a.m. to experience one of Elke's birthday presents: a hot air balloon ride. With our help, the balloon was rigged and inflated in about 20 minutes (below left) and we floated into the morning skies over Dresden's city center. Although the skies were a bit gray, it was quite spectacular to see the historical ensemble of buildings along the river Elbe (below right) as well as the residential areas from the open basket of a balloon. One hour later we touched down in a grassy field in a nearby village. Following an exhausting 30 minute tear down, a brief ceremony was conducted that involved the burning of our hair, quickly extinguished with champagne, and a short declaration lifting us into the ranks of royalty and ballooners. Afterwards we finished the bottle of bubbly, and attempted to memorize our new long titles.

The next day we went to a charming area near Berlin called Spreewald. Three hundred years ago, marsh and foul waters covered these flat lands. The settlers dug small canals or ditches to drain the land for living and farming. This process resulted in a large series of narrow, shallow waterways connecting a number of small villages. Farmers and merchants built their houses and shops along the channels. Small boats propelled by long wooden poles became the primary mode of transportation. Today, the local economy is driven by tourism. Skiffs outfitted with booth-style tables and benches take up to 25 people for two to six hour tours through the canals. The boats our navigated by men and women who provide a historical narrative about the area. Schnapps, beer, soft drinks, and local delicacies can be purchased for consumption during the ride. We enjoyed a few rounds of beverages, and at midday stopped at a cute restaurant for lunch. Around the villages the canals are lined with adorable thatch-roofed homes (below left). A network of bridges provide the option of walking or biking. The mail, and many of the supplies for the various establishments, are still delivered by boat (the postal service boat - below right).

By Saturday, we had reached top party form, and prepared all day for Elke's 30th birthday celebration. Friends came from near and far to join us for this spirited event. Elke reunited with school friends she had not seen in years (upper row left). Joyful tears flowed during speeches by Sybille, Elke's mom, and Elke herself. Food, drink, laughter and chatter were in plentiful supply. The performance by Elke's birthday present from her brother, a male stripper, was certainly the highlight of the evening. Elke's 89-year-old grandma (upper row right) didn't miss one move as the muscular, long-haired hunk danced, undressed, and than swept our birthday girl off her feet (pictures below). The crowd screamed, and Elke looked dazed with delight. The party ended at 4:00 a.m., and will be remembered by most as a grand celebration.

Three weeks later, the home craving satisfied, the party nerve overstimulated, it was time to continue our travels. Our drive across Germany ended in the Rhineland, where fabled castles stand among vineyards on the steep hills along the mighty river. We arrived in Koblenz in overcast weather. After a brief look around town and a visit to Deutches Eck, a famous corner where the Mosel river flows into the Rhine, we decided to tour the Marksburg (upper row left). The sun came out just as we entered this perfectly maintained medieval castle. The tiny rooms house a remarkable collection of weapons, furniture, cooking utensils, and tools from the 14th and 15th centuries.

The Marksburg has never been invaded, and therefore remains in great condition. Walking through the authentic rooms, the visitor easily imagines the life of knights and warrior kings. We later drove into the Mosel river valley, so we could hike to Burg Eltz the following morning. This fairy tale residence is billed as the most beautiful castle in the Rhine/Mosel area. We walked for thirty minutes through dense forest along winding paths before the castle magically appeared into view. The majestic building stands on a large rock formation in the U-bend of a small river (first row right). Construction began in the 12th century, and the castle is still owned by the same family. The flawless interior is filled with fine artwork collected over the centuries. The treasury contained priceless objects and relics you would only expect to find in a major museum. That night we stayed in Bacharach, an enchanting medieval village encircled by the famous steep-sloped Rhineland vineyards. We finished our visit with a 15-mile Rhine river cruise to the wine town Ruedesheim, passing juicy green vines, cute villages with Fachwerk houses (last row left - a special construction method with wooden beams), and at least ten more castles.

We last visited our friends Kathrin and Kersten, living in Tuttlingen, a small town near the grand Lake Constance. This beautiful lake borders Switzerland and Austria, allowing fast, easy trips to the sights and the mountains of the Alps in each country. We elected to spend most of the day on the lake itself, sunbathing on deck or swimming around our rental boats (upper row). The evenings were dedicated to more lavish feasts and festivities. A day trip took us to Meersburg and to the Mainau Island. This tiny island on the Lake of Constance is still owned by the original blue blood family, and home to beautiful gardens, rare trees from all over the world, a large palace, and an enclosed rain forest room with a large variety of tropical butterflies. The cozy city of Meersburg sits on the hills along the lake and is filled with gorgeous old buildings in perfect condition (last row).

Even though we didn't return to our own home, sleep in our beds, the weeks in Germany with friends and family rejuvenated our travel-wearied bodies. We also enjoyed sharing our travel experiences with interested listeners, allowing us to relive the marvelous experiences of past months. We want to thank all the loving people for such warm hospitality, their gifts, hugs, good wishes. And we hope to see them again very soon to continue the celebration of love and good times!